Yep, H.R. is loosing it… assuming he wasn’t crazy when he started experimenting on five people with black magic fuse with technology just to create a new game.
It’s less losing and more being presented with no other options. The success of his company is now inseparably tied to the game and his game happens to have five players who are hard-wired in and can’t log out. Given the amount of time that has passed he and how quickly Carol recognized Shanna as a snoop there have definitely been other times where Oz narrowly escaped being revealed. He understands that the public will eventually peek behind the curtain and he is going to make certain that nobody will be behind it when that time comes.
That’s what insanity feels like. You never really believe that what you’re doing is a good idea. You know it’s crazy. You just believe you have no other choice.
He has all the makings of a wrathful god. Because after all, who’d need to be wrathful if they could just control everything, whenever?
It would also make sense you’d have more control from within than without, since you’re actually corporeal that way and can interact with things without casting a metric ton of spells… and I guess also without breaking really expensive computer equipment in the process?
Yeah, okay. But now that ya mention it; A “peck” has always confused me. Why would anyone want pecs of pickled peppers? Besides that pungent vinegary odour, it would make for realllly awkward hugs.
The Human Berserker ‘Byron’, slashes at The Piketroll ‘Harki’s right middle finger! The severed part sails off in an arc! The severed part sails off in an arc!
Now that Carol seems to have second thoughts about the whole idea, perhaps she’ll manage to arrange for a substitute by luring Shanna into a trap? H.R. will obviously consider himself irreplaceable, so Carol’s tube will be the only one available for keeping the reporter silent for the duration of the crisis. And once H.R. is in a tube he won’t be able to make Carol get into one as well.
I foresee the little spying lady possibly getting captured herself. Not that I’m not looking forward to her success, but it could be interesting to see someone with outside knowledge on the inside world.
5 to 1 odds that Shanneon gets put into a tube.
3 to 1 odds that Carol gets put into a tube.
7 to 1 odds Carol and Shannon will end up having a cat fight before this chapter is over.
No line on how far off the deep end HR has gotten at this point.
Why would Auragu even bother with Shanna upon entering the real world. He’s more likely to become enamored with Mexican wrestling or cooking shows than care about some reporter.
And now I really want to see Auragu on a cooking show.
My point exactly; my thought was that the chance was close to none.
Seeing Auragu on a cooking show would be amusing. I wouldn’t be surprised to find him cooking humans, though.
and this ladies and gents, this is what happens when you play with forces you can’t fully control. At this rate we are gonna see that the big book H.R. has been reading is the necronomicon or something.
Hahaha!
#Bow, chikka bowbow!
(wooden delivery) “Excuse, me, ma’am, but, did you order, PIZZA?”
(squeakily sultry) “Why, yes, why don’t you come in while I find my WALLET?”
I’m waiting for the inevitable reveal that this is yet another game within a game, being played by martians or something. That will be the perfect resolution to the H.R. Arc.
No, no, even better! This is a SIMS style resource juggling game being played by Lisa from Penny and Aggie! So, mythical universe being played by gamers in tubes being gamed by corporate hacks whose business is being juggled by Lisa, who is just so damn confused by the whole thing …
Why doesn’t H.R. try tickling them awake or something? Or find the alarm clock each of them used in pre-tube-RL – play the alarm sound and shout at them “YOU”RE GONNA BE LATE FOR THE BUS”
The fact that they don’t know what will happen might, by itself, be enough of a reason to leave them in the tubes.
But, on the other hand, leaving them in the tubes might be his entire goal. If he wanted, he could just unplug them from life support and dump the bodies in the middle of the ocean. But instead, he keeps playing God.
Seeing their profiles in the same frame made me question for a second whether or not they were father and daughter. Their interactions would suggest otherwise, though.
Despite the fact that every time he’s shown, Dedalus always seems to be an inch closer to the edge of sanity, I never really…noticed. Because it’s been a slow burn as the story unspools. I read through the entire archives last night, and it was a shock to see H.R. clean-shaven, with a pressed suit and a trimmed beard. Now it looks like he’s shot-gunning bacon down his throat with a vodka chaser. XD
It’s nice to see that the makers of this comic not only understand pacing, but are masters of it. :D
I got a bit of that feel, but there’s no indication that Shanna got close enough to Carol to place a device on her. It would have been a very apt move…
So HR is the first ever technomancer when creating and founding a new school of magic/ technology it’s always wise to remember edison tried and failed 2000 times before getting the lightbulb right
Unless he has some reason to be absolutely sure that he won’t be trapped in there like the 5 he’s a HUUUGE idiot to go in their WITH Carol. He needs somebody on the outside to gather the information only available their and to manipulate things from both outside with magic and inside with will/spirit or whatever. The best case scenario would probably be inserting Carol and if she looses herself into her game persona then convince her that he is her personal deity and start training her to carry out his will. A reality spell cast on both sides would probably have a much better chance!
Foolishly indulging reality shattering thoughts
Once in tube, the game will play you…
I just realized… HR ordered a series of tubes. Excuse me while I put my head through my desk.
Yep, H.R. is loosing it… assuming he wasn’t crazy when he started experimenting on five people with black magic fuse with technology just to create a new game.
It’s less losing and more being presented with no other options. The success of his company is now inseparably tied to the game and his game happens to have five players who are hard-wired in and can’t log out. Given the amount of time that has passed he and how quickly Carol recognized Shanna as a snoop there have definitely been other times where Oz narrowly escaped being revealed. He understands that the public will eventually peek behind the curtain and he is going to make certain that nobody will be behind it when that time comes.
That’s what insanity feels like. You never really believe that what you’re doing is a good idea. You know it’s crazy. You just believe you have no other choice.
Yes he is definitely loosing something. Probably his tie. Probably hasn’t squared that thing away in a while.
He has all the makings of a wrathful god. Because after all, who’d need to be wrathful if they could just control everything, whenever?
It would also make sense you’d have more control from within than without, since you’re actually corporeal that way and can interact with things without casting a metric ton of spells… and I guess also without breaking really expensive computer equipment in the process?
Ummm….
Metric “tonne.”
Imperial “ton.”
Just a friendly FYI.
we’ll keep ta ‘r “shite tonnes” and “boat lodes” iff’n ya please. thank ye.
Yeah, okay. But now that ya mention it; A “peck” has always confused me. Why would anyone want pecs of pickled peppers? Besides that pungent vinegary odour, it would make for realllly awkward hugs.
Sounds like a Cthulu game.. go ahead, cast that spell, and make a Sanity roll!
Remember the D.F. motto: Losing is FUN!
The Human Berserker ‘Byron’, slashes at The Piketroll ‘Harki’s right middle finger! The severed part sails off in an arc! The severed part sails off in an arc!
“Tubes”…so…Carol and HR?
Yep. “Carol, I shall enter the game as a massive barbarian warrior. You’ll be a past-her-prime concubine, That’s fair, no?”
Now that Carol seems to have second thoughts about the whole idea, perhaps she’ll manage to arrange for a substitute by luring Shanna into a trap? H.R. will obviously consider himself irreplaceable, so Carol’s tube will be the only one available for keeping the reporter silent for the duration of the crisis. And once H.R. is in a tube he won’t be able to make Carol get into one as well.
Totally called it :)
I bet this is how all developers really are.
Also: Bug.
I foresee the little spying lady possibly getting captured herself. Not that I’m not looking forward to her success, but it could be interesting to see someone with outside knowledge on the inside world.
5 to 1 odds that Shanneon gets put into a tube.
3 to 1 odds that Carol gets put into a tube.
7 to 1 odds Carol and Shannon will end up having a cat fight before this chapter is over.
No line on how far off the deep end HR has gotten at this point.
but what are the odds that shanna and carol are put in THE SAME TUBE
Roughly about the same odds that Auragu will spawn in the real world and hunt down Shanna, I’d say.
sooo, pretty likely then?
Heh.
I totally think that’s where this is going – Arkerra characters unleashed on an unsuspecting Mountain View …
it opens the bifrost or else it gets the tubes again!
Why would Auragu even bother with Shanna upon entering the real world. He’s more likely to become enamored with Mexican wrestling or cooking shows than care about some reporter.
And now I really want to see Auragu on a cooking show.
My point exactly; my thought was that the chance was close to none.
Seeing Auragu on a cooking show would be amusing. I wouldn’t be surprised to find him cooking humans, though.
that or working in chuck-e-cheese.
And today’s Iron Chef Ingredient: HUMAN FLESH? How did that get in there? It was supposed to be cauliflower!
*auragu sneaks out of the building with a giant, bloody sack filled with cauliflower over his shoulder*
and this ladies and gents, this is what happens when you play with forces you can’t fully control. At this rate we are gonna see that the big book H.R. has been reading is the necronomicon or something.
Early Enchiridion
She was a lot like you.
Well… maybe not quite as heavy…
Now I’m picturing H.R. singing “Now I Only Want You Gone” to the five.
“Hmm. We can’t get them out of the tubes because they’re too good at video games. Obviously, we must trap OURSELVES in tubes too!”
GENIUS.
And who’s going to take care of them while they’re in-tube?
Domino’s Pizza delivers. I imagine for a large enough tip you could convince the delivery boy to also feed your comatose tubebody.
Failing that, convert to Oxygenarianism.
try ordering online sometime. They’ve actually got a section for you to put weird requests for what you want your deliverer to do lol.
Hahaha!
#Bow, chikka bowbow!
(wooden delivery) “Excuse, me, ma’am, but, did you order, PIZZA?”
(squeakily sultry) “Why, yes, why don’t you come in while I find my WALLET?”
Delivery Boy: Please insert pizza into blender. Blend, then pour pizza down feeding tube.
Your tip is a 60 day game card for Arkerra. It’s on the table, next to the monkey hand.
If they’re going in, won’t that put them under the game/universe’s power?
“ah…. Sorry, H.R., no can do. I had my tubes tied after my 3rd C- section”
Man, if our two main outside characters go inside, then this really will be nothing but a series of tubes.
Or tubers – like taters. They’ve just been spec- taters, now they’re gonna be agi-taters
Yeah… I’m beginning to worry they just might succeed to turnip around.
It’s a’peelin’ prospect, but I think things will turn au grautin.
yall gonna make me go starch raving mad.
Tsk. Don’t get into such a parsnip.
I’m waiting for the inevitable reveal that this is yet another game within a game, being played by martians or something. That will be the perfect resolution to the H.R. Arc.
No, no, even better! This is a SIMS style resource juggling game being played by Lisa from Penny and Aggie! So, mythical universe being played by gamers in tubes being gamed by corporate hacks whose business is being juggled by Lisa, who is just so damn confused by the whole thing …
Did … did I crack the code?
The very last comic will be Lisa, at her computer, grinning at the reader and saying, “Nyyyeh…ain’t I a stinker?”
I’m waiting for the reveal that HR’s world is the game, and he’s accidentally cracked into the real world, Arkerra.
Hey, people, what would happen if the five current players were taken out of their tubes ?
Also, I’m like Carol on this one : I sure as heck don’t like where this is going. It’s going from SNAFU to FUBAR.
I would assume a Matrix-style ‘death or brain damage’ situation.
Why doesn’t H.R. try tickling them awake or something? Or find the alarm clock each of them used in pre-tube-RL – play the alarm sound and shout at them “YOU”RE GONNA BE LATE FOR THE BUS”
Or have RealLife!Syr’nj’s cat sit on each of their heads in turn?
The fact that they don’t know what will happen might, by itself, be enough of a reason to leave them in the tubes.
But, on the other hand, leaving them in the tubes might be his entire goal. If he wanted, he could just unplug them from life support and dump the bodies in the middle of the ocean. But instead, he keeps playing God.
Now here’s an unsettling thought: What if he unplugged them and dumped their bodies, and yet their Arkerra personas still lived on, with full agency?
…Wow. That might well erase the last vestige of sanity from H.R.’s mind. And he doesn’t have much now, as it is.
Seeing their profiles in the same frame made me question for a second whether or not they were father and daughter. Their interactions would suggest otherwise, though.
“We’re going to have a test tube baby AND YOU’RE GOING TO LIKE IT.”
D:
Despite the fact that every time he’s shown, Dedalus always seems to be an inch closer to the edge of sanity, I never really…noticed. Because it’s been a slow burn as the story unspools. I read through the entire archives last night, and it was a shock to see H.R. clean-shaven, with a pressed suit and a trimmed beard. Now it looks like he’s shot-gunning bacon down his throat with a vodka chaser. XD
It’s nice to see that the makers of this comic not only understand pacing, but are masters of it. :D
…and by beard, I mean mustache.
Yeah… I bet that mustache smells RILLY BAD now.
Just… Gross.
haha!lol!
my avatar with Byron & Gravedust looks like they are also grossed out by ‘Stache-Stink & are trying not to gag!
That’s what ‘staches are for. Eat soup now, save a little as a snack later.
So THAT’S how I change my gravatar.
Achievement get.
What, the gravatar or the snack?
The gravatar.
I’m assuming someone has already done the “in Soviet Russia” joke.
Grand Moff H.R.?
The more tightly you grasp, the more vidjagaems will slip through your fingahs.
Does nobody else feel Shanna planted a listening device on Carol and is listening in on hers and HR’s conversation in the last panel?
I got a bit of that feel, but there’s no indication that Shanna got close enough to Carol to place a device on her. It would have been a very apt move…
She got close enough when Carol jumped her in the lobby.
RUGBY TACKLE!!!!
*ahem*
I mean; Wouldn’t it have been funny if..?
Fifty comments in and no one else says it? Guess it’s up to me.
HOLY LIVING F*** HE OPENED HIS MOUTH!
Indeed. Also, first panel, if you look at his face long enough, it looks like he’s got a carnivorous lower jaw and not a mustache.
NOW KISS.
So HR is the first ever technomancer when creating and founding a new school of magic/ technology it’s always wise to remember edison tried and failed 2000 times before getting the lightbulb right
She is not going to go into the tube, she does not have a colour that stands out, unlike him.
Unless he has some reason to be absolutely sure that he won’t be trapped in there like the 5 he’s a HUUUGE idiot to go in their WITH Carol. He needs somebody on the outside to gather the information only available their and to manipulate things from both outside with magic and inside with will/spirit or whatever. The best case scenario would probably be inserting Carol and if she looses herself into her game persona then convince her that he is her personal deity and start training her to carry out his will. A reality spell cast on both sides would probably have a much better chance!
She looks JUST like Fr-Nj…